Molecular determination and genotyping of Cryptosporidium spp. in fecal and respiratory samples of industrial poultry in Iran

ObjectiveTo identify the genotypes of prevalent Cryptosporidia in broiler chickens in Lorestan province, Iran.MethodsA total of 1 000 fecal and 1 000 trachea samples were collected from chickens. Smears from both fecal and tracheal samples were stained with modified Ziehl-Neelsen method and nested PCR-RFLP according to amplification of 18S rRNA gene using Ssp I and Vsp I restriction enzymes and DNA sequencing.ResultsFrom the examined chickens 0.7% was positive for Cryptosporidium. Infection was present in 0.5% fecal samples and also in 0.5% trachea. Only 0.3% of simultaneous infections in fecal and tracheal samples were observed. Nested PCR of our isolates demonstrated Cryptosporidium baileyi.ConclusionsIn our work, low rate of Cryptosporidium baileyi infection was detected, but in critical situations and our poor management circumstances, cryptosporidiosis occurs in serious feature especially in immune suppressed individuals.